Building an Extension Guide

Building a House Extension Guide

If you’re considering building a house extension, you probably have a long list of questions and concerns to address. In this concise guide to building a house extension, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most important considerations to factor in along the way.

As a top-rated local business with a flawless track-record, you can count on CG Carpentry to provide the objective and impartial advice you need to make the right decision for your home. If you’re unable to find the information you need in this brief guide to building a house extension, call anytime for an obligation-free chat with a member of the team.

Things you should consider before your start

First and foremost, it’s essential to work out your budget. This means determining how much you can afford to spend on your extension, after factoring in material costs, construction costs, finishing costs and subsequent decorating costs. To avoid overpaying, ensure you work exclusively with a contractor that offers accurate quotations and stands by them.

See what your neighbours have built

If you’ve not yet decided on the best type of extension for your home, you could always take inspiration from your neighbours. This can also be a great way of assessing the kinds of extensions (and extension sizes) that are permitted in your local area. Take a short walk around the neighbourhood and see what your neighbours have built.

Learn about your local building regulations

Building regulations always apply when constructing extensions, imposing strict limitations on what can be built and where you can build it. You can either contact your local council to learn more about local building regulations, or reach out to a member of the CG Carpentry team for advice.

Calculate all the costs involved

A reputable contractor will be able to provide you with a quotation that covers the vast majority of costs involved in the design, construction and final finishing of your extension. However, you will also need to consider the subsequent interior decorating and furnishing costs, which are often overlooked.  Not to mention, the installation of electric or plumbing connections where required.

Will the Extension meet your needs?

Home extensions can be used for an endless variety of purposes. It’s up to you to determine at the earliest possible stage exactly how you intend to use your additional space. This is because a basic extension for the purpose of creating additional storage space is not the same as a major extension to construct a fully-functional new room for the home.

Choosing the best extension option for your property

Choosing the best extension option for your property means taking into account the size and shape of your home, your intentions for the extension and how much you can afford to spend. CG Carpentry will help you decide on your ideal extension to suit your requirements and your budget, guiding you through the available options and discussing the best way forwards.

There may be more than one option

In some instances, it may be possible to achieve the desired result in a variety of different ways. For example, creating additional storage space or constructing a new room for your home could be achievable with a dormer conversion or a hip-to-gable conversion, rather than a traditional extension.

Get Professional Advice

As an independent local business, CG Carpentry is committed to providing 100% objective and impartial advice on all aspects of home extensions and improvements. From start to finish, we’ll provide the support and consultancy you need to make the best possible decision for your home and its occupants.

Making the most of your budget

At CG Carpentry, we strongly believe in the importance of long-term value for money. Making the most of your budget means improving your home with an invaluable investment in its comfort, versatility and market value. However extensive or limited your budget may be, we’ll ensure each and every penny is put to the best possible use.

Adding Value to your Property

An expertly-designed extension is guaranteed to add significant value to your property. Often augmenting the initial design and installation costs several times over. If adding value to your property is your priority, contact a member of the team at CG Carpentry to discuss your ideal extension at an unbeatable price.

Do I need Planning Permission for my house extension?

As planning permission requirements vary significantly from one property and project to the next, it’s important to seek formal verification. Even if you don’t believe you need planning permission, it is advisable to obtain confirmation to avoid future issues.

Assessing whether or not you need planning permission can be as simple as contacting your local council and requesting the information you need.  Alternatively, contact a member of the team at CG Carpentry and we’ll help you obtain the planning permission you need to go ahead with your house extension.

Do I need an architect for my house extension?

Technically speaking, hiring an architect to assist with a house extension project is an optional extra.  It depends entirely on the contractor you work with, as some of the better home extension specialists provide comprehensive support throughout each stage of the process.

At CG Carpentry, we can help you visualise and design each and every aspect of your ideal home extension from scratch. You won’t need to hire a separate architect unless you wish to do so, helping keep project costs to absolute minimums while reducing turnaround times. Call anytime for an obligation-free consultation.

Choosing the right Builder for your House Extension

Nothing matters more than choosing the right builder for your house extension. Finding a contractor you can trust means taking multiple considerations into account, including but not limited to the following:

  • Experience and track-record
  • Portfolio of work
  • Customer reviews and recommendations
  • Areas of expertise
  • Commitment to quality and value
  • Warranties and guarantees
  • Flexibility of services provided

Under no circumstances should you go ahead with a major property improvement project, unless you have total confidence in your chosen contractor.  Talk to the team at CG Carpentry anytime if you have any questions on how to choose a builder you can trust.

The service and warranty you should expect from your builder

A good builder or contractor will always prioritise quality and value for money over rock-bottom prices. After all, any major home improvement represents a long-term investment in the quality and market value of your property. This means that along with the guarantee of flawless results at affordable prices, your contractor should also back their work with an extensive warranty for total peace of mind.

At CG Carpentry, each and every project we take on is covered by a minimum 2 year warranty. During this time, any issues you encounter will be addressed free of charge by our experienced team.  We also take pride in offering the kind of committed aftercare you simply will not find elsewhere.

Why you should consider CG Carpentry

CG Carpentry is a standout contractor for London and Surrey for a number of reasons. Operating as a family-owned local business, we take pride in bringing the personal touch to every project we take on. Backed by decades of industry experience, our team of skilled tradespersons knows how to transform even the most limited budgets into spectacular results.

What’s more, we’re proud to work with trade and private customers on all types of projects across London and Surrey. Some builders say no job is too big or too small – we’re one of the few that actually mean it!

For more information on our extensive range of services or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at CG Carpentry anytime.